Awards & Honors
US News & World Report Rankings
5 specialties at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital ranked among the best in the nation in the latest U.S. News & World Report survey!
Ranked specialties are Pulmonology and Lung Surgery (No. 23), Diabetes and Endocrinology (No. 33), Cardiology and Heart Surgery (No. 38), and Cancer (No. 49).
UF Health’s pediatric behavioral health was also recognized nationally as a top 50 specialty. Behavioral health specialties are either in the top 50 or not, without a numerical ranking.
2024 Exemplary Teacher Award
Congratulations
Diane Howell, MD
Nancy Joseph, MBBS
Stephanie Kirkconnell, MD
Sarah Marsicek, MD
Kendall Steadmon, MD
Brian Stover, MD
Puneet Tung, DO (not pictured)
Carla Zingariello, DO (not pictured)
Dipankar Gupta, MD
Jeffrey Jacobs, MD
Andrew Pitkin, MBBS (not pictured)
UF Child Advocacy Center (UFCAC) Achieves National Accreditation!
For the first time, the UF CAC has earned the prestigious National Children’s Alliance Accreditation—a recognition of excellence that underscores their commitment to serving children and families impacted by abuse and neglect.
Along with others, Stephanie Cox and Dr. Cameron Rosenthal were instrumental in reaching this significant achievement.
Endocrinology
Kristin Dayton, MD
Received the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Ellen Perrin Award for her outstanding clinical work and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.
Streetlight Annual Strides for Sickle Cell Walk
More than 300 people attended and more than $4,000 was raised. Kudos to Emily Marchi, MS (Director, Streetlight) and Tung Wynn, MD (Director, Sickle Cell Program).
Medical Education
Paola Brana-Rivera, MD
Selected to serve on the Association of Pediatric Program Directors’ Underrepresented in Medicine (UIM) Chief Collective.
PGY-2
Daniel Valladares, MD
Selected to participate in the 2025 Frontiers in Science Symposium organized by the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs.
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Varvara Probst, MD, MPH
Consulted as an infectious diseases medical expert for Fox News Digital health piece “6 ways to prevent holiday illness: Ask a doctor.”
Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
Conrad Cole, MD, MPH, MSc
Elected to the NASPGHAN Council
The mission of NASPGHAN is to be a world leader in research, education, clinical practice and advocacy for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition in health and disease.
AND, he was selected to participate in the College of Medicine’s 2025 Leadership Development Program.
Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology
Whitney Moss
Featured in the 8/23/24 UF COM Newsletter’s Staff Spotlight for her outstanding interactions with patients and their families, as well as colleagues and outside entities (e.g., insurance and pharmaceutical companies).
Hematology/Oncology
Jordan Milner, MD
Endorsed as Site PI by the Blood & Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN) after a site visit to UF.
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Sumita Bhaduri-McIntosh, MD PhD
Named Editor-in-Chief of PLOS Pathogens – One of the most highly regarded journals focusing on mechanisms of infectious diseases.
Endocrinology
Brittany Bruggeman, MD
Article “Communicating availability of continuous glucose monitors for type 1 diabetes patients” was featured on the cover of Contemporary Pediatrics.
Endocrinology
Brittany Bruggeman, MD & Timothy Foster, MD
Selected to participate in the 2024-2025 APS/SPR Journeys & Frontiers in Pediatric Research Program.
Endocrinology
The Georgia Center for Diabetes Translation Research 2024 Regional Technology Pilot and Feasibility Program
“Conceptualization of a Social Determinants of Mental and Behavioral Health (SDMBH) Screening Protocol in the Progression of Autoantibodies to Overt Type 1 Diabetes: An Exploratory Study to Advance Translation and Health Equity Using Technology”
Co-Is with primary mentoring role: Michael J. Haller, MD, Ashby Walker, PhD.
Co-I with unique experience in autoantibody screening: Laura Jacobsen, MD.
Co-I with unique expertise in underserved population: Brittany Bruggeman, MD.
Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program UF Health
$500,000 Teen Cancer America Award
One of four in Florida
Will expand clinical care and services tailored to the needs of patients.
Team: Lauren Staley, ARNP; Leighton Elliott, M.D.; Joanne Lagmay, M.D.; Brian Stover, M.D.; and Bianca Williams, MSW.
Welcome Faculty Members
Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
Heba Kamal, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Education
Residency Recruitment
Interviews were completed before the end of the year in 2024. Thank you to the faculty, resident recruitment team, and ambassadors for helping with recruitment and interviews. This was the smoothest interview season to date (special thank you Marisol for arranging the schedule)! New intern class to be announced mid-March.
- 15 interview days
- 313 Total candidates (including Child Neurology)
- 226 MDS (72%)
- 52 DOs (17%)
- 35 IMG (11%)
25-26 Third Year Chiefs
Abigail Stallman
Anagha Sadasivan
Ashley Holland
Jenna Knafo
Kelly Davis
Salma Anis
Graduating Third Years – Fellowship Matches:
Jenny Raman, MD
Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Medicine
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Paul Asheim, MD
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
University of Chicago
Tristan Dorn, MD
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
University of Florida, Gainesville
Zak Woods, MD
Pediatric Cardiology
Medical College of Wisconsin
Paola Brana-Rivera, MD
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
University of Florida, Gainesville
Samantha Rodriguez, MD
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
University of Florida, Gainesville
Rebekah King, MD
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
University of Florida, Gainesville
Jessica Pham, MD
Pediatric Cardiology
University of Florida, Gainesville
Incoming Fellows
Cardiology:
- Hashem Al-Adwan, University of Jordan
- Jessica Pham, UF
Endocrinology
- Barbara Garza, University Hospital, OH
Gastroenterology, Hepatology & NutritionI
- Basil Al-Ekeer, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine Program
Hematology/Oncology:
- Sam Rodriguez, UF
Neonatology:
- Randhir Yadav, UF Jacksonville
- Blane Evans, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
- Monica Singh, University of South FL
Critical care:
- Tristan Dorn – UF
- Bekah King – UF
Rheumatology
- Mazin Alnasry- Baghdad, Iraq
Resident Presentations
- Niki Patel – ACAAI (American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) Annual Meeting, Boston, MA,
Utilizing Dupilumab In Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis In A Pediatric Patient With Hyper-IgE Syndrome - Daniel Valladares – 2024 AAP NCE Conference, Orlando, FL
Diagnosing Failure to Thrive: A Case of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome in Identical Twins - Blaire Cote, Derika Schlueter, Kelly Tran – Future of Pediatric Practice
Improving Cholesterol Screening Rates in Residency Continuity Clinic
Rebekah King and Sarafina Musto also worked on this - Blaire Cote, Ibrahim Moussaoui, and Sarafina Musto volunteered their time and expertise to attend the first University of Florida Mobile Vaccine Clinic organized by Dr. Puneet Tung in Lake City, Florida, on Saturday, December 14th.
Congratulations
- Melissa Huddleston, PGY2 selected for GMEC Sub-Committee on Clinical Learning Environment Review
- Recognition for Excellence in Medical Student Education:
- Dr. Alexandra Sarkis – PGY 1
- Dr. Steven Overlaur – PGY1
- Dr. Erin Perez – PGY3
- Dr. Kirsten Consing – Child Neuro
- Dr. Leeandra Cleaver – Rheumatology Fellow
UF COM Faculty Wellness Update
KLAS Arch Collaborative Survey
For all Epic users (faculty, residents, fellows)
Your candid feedback will enable us to improve UF Health’s EHR. We need everyone’s feedback for a better Epic experience!
Meet & Greet with UFCOM Faculty Support Team
Join us for conversation & refreshments
*Bring your questions and suggestions to improve faculty wellbeing*
Friday, January 24, 2025 or Thursday, February 20, 2025
11am-1pm (drop-in any time!)
Faculty Lounge (Shands M-125)
Kick-off in January 2025!
WIMS & Wellness Faculty Book Club
Struggling to connect with Gen Z???Having trouble motivating your students, residents, postdocs, and/or kids? Join Us for Our Faculty Book Club Series on:
“10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People”
Part 1 (January)
Part 2 (February)
Part 3 (March)
Location: Faculty Lounge (Shands M-125) *Dates/Times TBD*
Research
Welcome New Team Members
Trent Linn
Division Administrator for Research
CHRI, CMT, and PGTC
Ammie Wells
Research Administrator II
Pre- & Post- Award
Nathan Rushing
Research Administrator III
Pre- & Post- Award
Research Portfolio Summary
